BA (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects

UCAS code: GW42 BA/CAVE

Note: this course has been replaced by BA (Hons) Computer Animation and BA (Hons) Visual Effects, so we are only accepting direct entry applications for Final Year in 2018.If you have a passion for animation and visual effects and want to work in the film, television or games industries then this is the course for you. You develop a broad range of creative and technical skills in our leading-edge facilities that will enable you to make the leap into an exciting and challenging career.

Part-time

Contact details

Further information

Computer Animation & Visual Effects

Teesside is one of the best-equipped learning environments for anybody seeking a career in animation or visual effects. We have purpose-built facilities housing dedicated life drawing spaces, recording studio, motion-capture studio and a fully equipped sound stage including green screen facilities and motion-control cameras.

2017 Animation Showreel

Students secure place on highly regarded graduate scheme
Two Teesside University, School of Computing graduates have beat off international competition to secure places on the graduate trainee scheme of world renowned visual effects company, Double Negative (Dneg).

Students exhibit their work at Double Negative studios during ExpoTees London
Animation and Visual Effects students from the School of Computing had the opportunity to exhibit their work at Double Negative’s London studios this summer. Staff and students took the renowned ExpoTees brand to the country’s capital city to meet some of the industry’s leading players.

Course structure

Final-year core modules

You work in small production teams to create all of the development and pre-production assets for a major short film. This includes the script development, concept artwork, storyboards and character design. Each team member takes on a number of development roles depending on their course or chosen area of specialism.

Key lectures and workshops inform the assignment and provide inspiration for innovative ideas development including scriptwriting for animation, visual narrative and storyboarding, aesthetics and design for animation, planning and advanced pre-production.

In the tutorials your team tutor guides you on the animation pre-production pipeline and provides regular individual and group feedback.

You carry out a large scale piece of individual coursework, under the supervision of a project supervisor and a second reader. Your project parameters are agreed by you and your supervisor. You produce a substantial artefact related to your chosen specialism and career aims. You complete a pre-production document, a written reflective report, and a viva to present and defend the artefact.You develop work-discipline with a professional outlook and you consider legal, social, ethical and professional issues. You analyse, synthesise, and creatively apply what you have studied on the programme.

You build on your learning and team work to produce a short film. You work within small production teams in individual roles, based on their area of specialisation to create and produce a short film to an original concept. The completed film should be suitable for festival submission, television broadcast, or other industry events and competitions. It should also provide a high-end showpiece for your final portfolio.

Modules offered may vary.

How you learn

Each module is delivered through a structured series of lectures and tutorials. Lectures provide you with specific theoretical information related to the subject, while accompanying tutorials focus on developing your practical skills and work on assessments. Tutorial sessions are also used for feedback and advice from tutors. Further support is offered online in the form of extra learning material where necessary.

You have the opportunity to attend keynote lectures and portfolio reviews from industry professionals and recruiters.

In your final year you work together in teams to develop, create and market a short animated film. These films are submitted to international film festivals and many have achieved award-winning success.

How you are assessed

We believe that it is essential for you to learn through the experience of doing. Assessment for the majority of modules is in the form of practical projects, which you work on throughout the academic year. You develop a portfolio of design, animation, modelling and visual effects work.

In Year 2 and 3 you work collaboratively with other students on a group film which could be a live project or animated short film. The final-year project allows you the freedom to create your own brief based on your skills and interests.

Career opportunities

As a graduate you are ideally suited to a career in the animation or visual effects industry. Graduates have gone on to enjoy careers with a wide range of companies including Double Negative, Moving Picture Company, Glassworks, Cinesite, Passion Pictures, DreamWorks, Pixar and Framestore.

Work placement

Being able to include work experience on your CV makes you a much more attractive applicant. You have a much higher chance of improving your degree classification and the boost in confidence will give you the edge in job interviews.

98% of our students who complete a work placement achieve a high level degree classification and are offered a graduate job within six months of graduating.

We have established excellent long-term relationships with businesses giving you the opportunity to apply for summer, year-long and graduate placements with key organisations such as: Microsoft, Lift Studios, BMW, MediaMonks, Hammerhead VR, Animmersion, Dojo Arcade and Moments 3D

Student selection is carried out by employers through competitive interviews and often skills tests. Placements are not compulsory but are assessed and contribute to your final degree award.

Our placements team gives you help and support throughout the placement process, including guidance on applications and interviews, to help you get a placement that suits you.

Entry requirements

You are considered for direct entry to Year 2 or the Final Year (if applicable) of this course if you have suitable qualifications that satisfy the learning outcomes for Year 1 and Year 2. You aren’t guaranteed a place but your application is carefully considered.

You are invited to come for an interview and present a portfolio of your work.

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting
Your Country

You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.Find out more about RPL

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